Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, January 13, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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lackadaisical
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Nominal AdjectivesNominal adjectives perform the function of a noun in a sentence. They are preceded by the word "the" and can be the subject or object of a sentence or clause. What are some nominal adjectives that are used to refer to groups of people? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Doberman PinscherOften used in police work, the Doberman pinscher is a breed of dog with a great capacity for training and a reputation for loyalty and intelligence, making it an excellent companion. Its short tail is the result of docking, a procedure in which most of the tail is amputated shortly after birth. The dogs are named for Louis Dobermann, who created the breed in 19th-century Germany by crossing German sheepherding dogs with the Rottweiler and Manchester terrier. What does "pinscher" mean in German? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Survivor of British Retreat from Kabul Reaches Jalalabad (1842)During the First Anglo-Afghan War, a group of 4,500 British soldiers and 12,000 British civilians left Kabul for Jalalabad. Beset by murderous bands, their numbers quickly dwindled. A few were captured alive and later released, but army surgeon William Brydon was the sole person to escape the final ambush by Afghan tribesman and reach the British camp at Jalalabad that day. Part of Brydon's skull had been sheared off by a sword, but he survived thanks to what object stuffed inside his hat? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832)Alger was an American author who wrote more than 100 children's books. Highly formulaic, each taught that through honesty, perseverance, and hard work, poor but virtuous lads could prevail in life. Published in 1868, the first of those books, Ragged Dick, was an immediate success. Despite the weaknesses of Alger's writing, his books ultimately sold more than 20 million copies, making him one of the most popular writers of the 19th century. What ended Alger's previous career as a minister? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Ignorance... is a painless evil; so, I should think, is dirt, considering the merry faces that go along with it.George Eliot (1819-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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long arm— Broad, far-reaching power or influence. (Usually paired with a noun, as in "the long arm of the law.") More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Stephen Foster Memorial Day (2015)Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864) was a composer whose popular songs and ballads have found a lasting place in American music. When he died at the age of 37, he left behind more than 200 compositions—among them "Camptown Races," "Oh! Susanna," and "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair." January 13, the anniversary of Foster's death, was proclaimed Stephen Foster Memorial Day in 1951. In Florida, this day is part of Stephen Foster Memorial Week, and events include performances by musical groups from schools and universities throughout the state. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: vaultcoping saw - A saw with a very narrow blade stretched across a u-shaped frame—for cutting curves, with cope meaning "vault, arch." More... ossuary - From Latin os, "bone," it is any receptacle—urn, vault, etc.—for the bones of the dead. More... camera - First meant "vault, chamber." More... firmament - Means "vault of the sky," as a fixed structure. More... | |
| In the News | |
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 Pope Encourages Breastfeeding in Sistine ChapelDuring a baptism ceremony for 33 fussy infants in the Sistine Chapel last weekend, Pope Francis broke from his prepared homily to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children in the chapel if necessary. Addressing the mothers directly, he used the Italian term for "breastfeed," which was not part of his prepared remarks. The pope used the occasion to remind the congregation of the many children around the world who do not have enough food. More... | |